TransBaltic visits India and investigates the future BSR-India trade

A TransBaltic delegation representing regions from Sweden, Finland and Polen spent five days in India learning more about the country's transport development and future plans regarding their trade with Europe and in particular the Baltic Sea Region. Being a country with one of the fastest growing economies, India is foreseen to have a major influence on the BSR's future freight flows. A Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India will open the European market for the Indian trade and significantly increase the flow between the two areas. An analysis of India's present and prospective trade development with the Baltic Sea Region was delivered at a dedicated seminar arranged for the TransBaltic delegation in New Delhi by the governmental Research and Information System (RIS) Institute. The delegation had also a unique opportunity to exchange views on the future transport development in India with representatives of several federal ministries, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India as well as the Indian Ports Association. The TransBaltic team also paid a visit to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, the country's largest container port. The discussions showed a high potential for networking between the two geographical areas. In anticipation of dynamically rising trade exchange flows, TransBaltic intends to connect relevant organisations from India and the BSR to better prepare the transport infrastructures and policies for enhanced cooperation. A report on the study visit will be published in the next issue of the Baltic Transport Journal. Dr Prabir De, a representative of the RIS, will participate in the second annual TransBaltic Conference in Skellefteå, Sweden, in May 2011, to speak about the BSR-India trade exchange and connectivity.